Siege of Middenheim

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Siege of Middenheim
Date Approx 9 IC
Location Middenheim
Outcome Victory for The Empire.
Combatants
Norsii, Beastmen, Warriors of Chaos [1a], Skaven [1g] The Empire, [1a] Dwarfs. [1i]
Commanders
Cormac Bloodaxe. [1a] Sigmar. [1a]
Strength
Approximately 16,000 [1c] Approximately 8,000 [1c]
Losses/Survivors


Following his defeat at the Battle of the Northern Ridge, Sigmar retreated with his army to Middenheim, hoping to draw the invaders to him and buy time for the other Counts to raise armies and march to his aid. [1a]

Cormac Bloodaxe wanted to burn and loot his way through the rest of the new Empire which was far less defended but Kar Odacen demanded that he assault the stronghold to destroy Sigmar and he summoned a great horde of Beastmen to aid Cormac. [1b]

Defenders Deployment

The main viaduct to the city was so well constructed by the Dwarfs that not a single stone could be dislodged and its barbican walls were only a little taller than a man. Despite the large number of refugees crammed into the city, there was enough food to last a month and it was kept under armed guard. The city wells were also covered with iron grates to control access. [1c]

  • Sigmar and Redwane defended the viaduct into the city and the partially built citadel at it top with a 1000 warriors from all the tribes in the city. [1c]
  • Pendrag and Myrsa commanded the north of the city with another 1000 warriors, including the White Wolves. [1c]
  • The eastern part of the city was defended by Conn Carsten and his Udose. [1c]
  • Count Marius defended the west with his Jutones and Mercenaries. [1c]
  • Wolfgart took 500 warriors into the tunnels beneath the city, split into five groups. [1f]
  • The very young or the elderly who could still fight were tasked with defending the streets, especially those leading to the great temple under construction. [1c]

Initial Assault

Sigmar and his contingent drove off three attacks on the viaduct bastion before the attackers brought forth a great Chaos Warshrine which [1d] poured unnatural strength into the tribesmen around, it mutating many. At the same time, Pendrag and his force was attacked by winged creatures and beastmen swarming up the rock itself. [1e] Under the city, Wolfgart was confronted by a Skaven force that had tunnelled up into the lower passages. [1g]

Sigmar and Ulfdar led a fighting wedge of the Udose King's Blades, slaughtering their way towards the Chaos Icon, the berserkers seemingly gaining strength from the shrine as much as the Norsii. Driving back the northern warriors, Sigmar killed the Daemon's that pulled the altar and they managed to push it over the edge of the viaduct to its destruction below. [1h] Down below, Wolfgart was fighting hard but would have been overwhelmed but for the arrival of a contingent of Dwarfs led by Alaric the Mad. [1i]

On the eastern walls, dozens of clans of the Udose cut down the packs of beastmen as they swarmed up the rock to the sound of their pipers. Then a Bray Shaman unleashed a spell which transformed the Gallis clan into beasts who turned on the rest of the tribe, shattering the defence. [1i]

At first Count Marius and his mercenary crossbowmen slaughtered all that threatened to climb their section of the wall. Sorcery ensnared all of his men, giving them visions of riches, but he was protected by his magical blade and as he shouted at his men, he was stabbed by his aide Bastiaan even as the beastmen reached and began killing his mercenaries. [1j]

In the east, Magnus Anders, a veteran in his sixties led the old and the young in a series of guerrilla attacks on the enemy that had breached the defences whilst in the west, the surging beastmen were suddenly attacked by Ironbreakers of Karaz-a-Karak led by Alaric and Wolfgart. As the sun went down, the city was secured once more. [1k]

Runefang

Alaric had not only brought 500 Dwarf warriors to aid the defence but also the first of the Runefangs which Sigmar recieved gratefully, giving it to Pendrag whilst he retained Ghal-Maraz. For the next twelve days, the Norsii and their allies launched attacks on the city and until Alaric inscribed protective runes in the very stones, unnatural storm lashed the fortess-city. [1l]

The End

As the siege had continued the Norsii gathered and decapitated every corpse that fell from the spire, the skulls hurled into a huge pit, exactly eighty yards wide and eight yards deep. Cormac descended into it depths, champions from the various tribes (except the Shornaal worshipping Hung) standing at its edge, each with a dagger at the throat of a fierce warrior. [1m]

Cormac ritually took the heads of 88 captives, letting their blood wash over his iron-hard skin and feeling the wall between the mortal world and the void grow thin. Kar Odacen was energised by the power being drawn to the pit and spoke the first words of death which echoed the birth of Kharnath. The warriors had their throats slit and in answer, crimson bolts of lightning slammed into the pit and Cormac became a Bloodthirster. [1m]

A fresh assault was launched on the city, the Norsii more frenzied than before but the various Counts led their men to drive them back once more. Then the Bloodthirster arrived, its very presence sending the bravest warriors fleeing and it was only when Pendrag managed to regain his courage and thrust his Runefang up towards the sky to dispel the shadows that accompanied it that the defenders rallied. The Norsii charged once more, this time led by Azazel. [1n]

When the Greater Daemon landed near the temple of Ulric, a third of the hundred men who stood with Sigmar there dropped dead of terror and many fled. Both Wolfgart and Redwane managed to strike the immense Khornate manifestation, but their weapons were destroyed and they were wounded by its retaliation whilst Sigmar was disarmed by a strike of its whip. [1o]

Pendrag slaughtered his way through the Norsii before he was confronted by Azazel himself and although he fought with all his kill, he quickly found that all his skill, power and speed was still no match for Gerreon reborn. Otwin and Marius joined him in battling Azazel, but the champion of Slaanesh wounded first Marius and then impaled Otwin's thigh with one of his swords. To Azazel's annoyance, the Berserker King snapped the sword. Pendrag renewed his attack, but again his opponent was too quick, ramming his broken blade into his heart. [1p]

Yet even as he withdrew his broken sword from the body of Pendrag, Azaxel was overcome with self-loathing and regret and retreated from the city. [1q] The dying Pendrag asked that Myrsa take both his Runefang and the title of Count of Middenheim, to which reluctantly the Warrior Eternal agreed. Like Azazel, the Beastmen had had enough and despite the protestations of Kar Odacen they retreated back into the forest. [1r]

Meanwhile Sigmar fought the Bloodthirster in the ruins of the temple of Ulric, managing to survive its onslaught until the very breath of Ulric issued forth, surrounding Myrsa who plunged his sword into the back of the Daemon. Sigmar bathed Ghal-Maraz in the sacred flame and shattered the Bloodthirster with a single blow. The frost-fire of Ulric swept across the whole city and a wolf composed of blue fire appeared at the side of every defender. [1s]

Victory

The Norsii fled only to be met at the foot of the Fauschlag by the relieving armies of the Great Tribes - from the east came the Asoborn led by Queen Freya, the Taleutens led by Count Krugar and howling wildmen of the Cherusen. From the south came the Endals led by Count Aldred and Princess Marika, the Menogoths led by Markus, the Ostagoths by Count Adelhard and the Brigundians by Siggurd. Only two of the great army of Cormac survived the subsequent slaughter - a weeping swordsman and a madman with blood streaming from his eyes. [1s]

The siege was over. [1s]

Quotes

These are the days of great power. The tribes of the north, the beasts of the forest, and a great prince of Kharnath will fall upon Middenheim, and we will baptise this world in blood!

~ Kar Odacen. [1b]

Sources

  • 1: Legend of Sigmar (anthology): Empire (Novel)
    • 1a: Chapter Seventeen: Wolves of the North, pg. 573
    • 1b: Chapter Seventeen: Wolves of the North, pg. 577-578
    • 1c: Chapter Eighteen: The Empire at Bay, pg. 583-584
    • 1d: Chapter Eighteen: The Empire at Bay, pg. 587
    • 1e: Chapter Eighteen: The Empire at Bay, pg. 589-590
    • 1f: Chapter Eighteen: The Empire at Bay, pg. 593
    • 1g: Chapter Eighteen: The Empire at Bay, pg. 595
    • 1h: Chapter Nineteen: Heroes of the Hour, pg. 597-599
    • 1i: Chapter Nineteen: Heroes of the Hour, pg. 604-606
    • 1j: Chapter Nineteen: Heroes of the Hour, pg. 607-609
    • 1k: Chapter Twenty: The Last Days, pg. 612
    • 1l: Chapter Twenty: The Last Days, pg. 615-618
    • 1m: Chapter Twenty: The Last Days, pg. 619
    • 1n: Chapter Twenty One: The Last Day, pg. 625-627
    • 1o: Chapter Twenty One: The Last Day, pg. 628-630
    • 1p: Chapter Twenty One: The Last Day, pg. 631-634
    • 1q: Chapter Twenty Two: The Doom of Men, pg. 635
    • 1r: Chapter Twenty Two: The Doom of Men, pg. 638-640
    • 1s: Chapter Twenty Two: The Doom of Men, pg. 640-643
Beastmen
Units Beast Lord - Bestigor - Bray-Shaman - Centigor - Chaos Giant - Chaos Ogre - Chaos Spawn - Chaos Troll - Chaos Warhound - Chimera - Cockatrice - Cygor - Doombull - Dragon Ogre - Dragon Ogre Shaggoth - Ghorgon - Gor - Great Bray Shaman - Harpy - Jabberslythe - Khorngor - Minotaur - Pestigor - Razorgor - Razorgor Chariot - Shaggoth - Slaangor - Tuskgor Chariot - Tzaangor - Ungor - Wargor
Characters Brrak Gorehorn - Ghorros Warhoof - Gribbleback - Gorthor - Kartok Great-horn - Khazrak - Malagor - Moonclaw - Morghur - Ograh - Rurkhar Festigor - Slugtongue - Taurox - Ungrol Four-Horn
Images - Miniatures - Quotes
Dwarfs
Units Anvil of Doom - Artillery Guard - Brewmaster - Daemon Slayer - Doomseeker - Dragon Slayer - Dwarf Bolt Thrower - Dwarf Cannon - Dwarf Engineer - Dwarf Firethrower - Dwarf King - Dwarf Lord - Dwarf Master Engineer - Dwarf Miner - Dwarf Mountaineer - Dwarf Ranger - Dwarf Seadog - Dwarf Stone Thrower - Dwarf Thane - Dwarf Warrior - Engineers Guild Organ Gun - Flamecannon - Goblin-hewer - Grudge Thrower - Gyrobomber - Gyrocopter - Hammerer - Ironbreaker - Irondrake - Long Drong's Slayer Pirates - Longbeard - Quarreller - Runelord - Runesmith - Slayer - Thunderer
Characters Alaric the Mad - Alrik Okrisson - Alrik Ranulfsson - Anarbarziz - Arngrim Redbeard - Baldrikk - Baragor - Behram Gundarson - Belegar Ironhammer - Belgrina Fargunsdotr - Borri Silverfoot - Bowli Griefwing - Bragi Axebiter - Berndt Lavaspear - Brok Stonefist - Brokk Gunnarsson - Burlok Damminson - Byrrnoth Grundadrakk - Crazed Khargrim - Drong - Dumwin Stoutbelly - Duregar - Durzak Dragonback - Ergrim Stonehammer - Ethgrim Paingrinder - Finn Sourscowl - Garagrim Ironfist - Gazul - Gorth One-Eye - Gotrek Gurnisson - Gotrek Starbreaker - Grandin Air-Talker - Grimcrag Grunnson - Grimm Burloksson - Grim Grunnson - Grindan Deeplock - Grombrindal - Grungni Ironhand - Gurdok Granitehelm - Gunnar Hrolfsson - Gunnar Torkilsson - Hadrin - Haki Skavensplitter - Heglan Copperfist - Helgar Longplaits - Hengist Cragbrow - Josef Bugman - Kadrin Redmane‎ - Kazador - Kazgar - Keela - Kragg - Kraggi - Krudd Mad-Mattock - Kurdan - Kurgan Ironbeard - Kurgaz - Long Drong - Lunn Yorrisson - Malakai Makaisson - Moera Sure-Strike - Morgrim - Morgrim Bargrum - Mungrun Steelhammer - Nadri Copperfist‎ - Nurn Shieldbreaker - Olaf Greatnose - Olif Thumpcrush - Orrick - Ranuld Silverthumb - Rogni - Skag - Skalf Blackhammer - Skavor - Skorri Morgrimsson - Smednir - Snekki One-thumb - Snorri Lunngrin - Snorri Nosebiter - Snorri Spangelhelm - Snorri Thungrimsson - Snorri Whitebeard - Stromni Redbeard - Sven Hasselfriesian - Thorek Ironbrow - Thorgrim Grudgebearer - Tordrek Hackhart - Throndik Snorrisson - Throndin Stoneheart - Thungni - Thurgin Ironheart - Thurgrom - Thuringar Zaladrinsson Orc-hewer - Trygg Trollslayer - Ulfar Stonehammer - Ungrim Ironfist - Valaya - Yazeran
Holds Karaz-a-Karak - Barak Varr - Grimmpeak - Karak Angazbar - Karak Angkul - Karak Azar - Karak Azgal - Karak Azgaraz - Karak Azul - Karak Kaferkammaz - Karak Eight Peaks - Karak Eksfilaz - Karak Gantuk - Karak Grom - Karak Hirn - Karak Izor - Karak Kadrin - Karak Norn - Karak Ziflin - Karak Zorn - Zhufbar
Images - Magic Items - Miniatures- Vehicles
Great Tribes
Tribes Asoborn - Brigundians - Cherusen - Endals - Jutones - Menogoths - Merogens - Ostagoths - Taleutens - Teutogen - Thuringians - Udoses - Unberogen
Characters Adelhard - Aldred - Alfgeir - Aloysis - Alessa - Artur - Berongunden - Björn - Bysen - Conn Carsten - Cradoc - Cuthwin - Ebrulf - Egil - Eoforth - Freya - Fridleifr - Garr - Gerreon - Govannon - Griseldis - Henroth - Idris Gwylt - Krugar - Laredus - Leovulf - Maedbh - Marbad - Marika - Marius - Markus - Myrsa - Notker - Otwin - Pendrag - Petra - Ravenna - Redmane Dregor - Redwane - Siggurd - Sigmar - Sigulf - Trinovantes - Ulfdar - Ulrike - Wolfgart - Wolfila
Norsca
Units Berserker - Bondi - Bondsdwarf - Bondsmen Archer - Huscarl - Norse Archer - Norse Bolt Thrower - Norse Dwarf - Norse Dwarf Crossbow - Norse Dwarf Berserker - Norse Dwarf Giant Slayer - Norse Dwarf Troll Slayer - Norse Lord - Norse Magician - Norse Slinger - Norse Standard Bearer - Norse War Mammoth - Norse Warrior - Thrall - Ulfwerenar
Characters Adella‎‎ - Aygar Mistletaine - Bayl - Beorg Bearstruck - Bjorn Irongrim - Bransùil - Cormac Bloodaxe - Dónalegur - Egil Styrbjorn - Erik Redaxe - Erik the Lost - Haargroth - Juggo Joriksonn - Kar Odacen - Karl Ustracutter - Keorl Thunderhand - Khagul Bloodfist - Kjell Red Fist - Lars Mortensen - Losteriksson - Magnus the Mad - Morkar - Olaf Wolfhound - Ravenswyrd - Ryðklumpur - Soren Hoarder‎ - Stürmjarl - Styrkaar - Tuula Bloodhair - Ulfric Grondal - Valgar - Vandred - Wulfrik
Tribes and Warbands Aesling - Bjornling - Iron Wolves - Sarl - Skaelings - Skeggi - Snaegr - Sortsvinaer
Images - Magic Items - Miniatures - Vehicles
Skaven
Units Aberration - Brood Horror - Burrowing Behemoth - Cauldron of a Thousand Poxes - Chimaerat - Clanrat - Doomwheel - Doom-Flayer - Eshin Sorceror - Eshin Triad - Festering Chantor - Flayerkin - Giant Rat - Grey Seer - Gutter Runner - Hell-Pit Abomination - Master Assassin - Master Moulder - Night Runner - Packmaster - Plague Censer Bearer - Plagueclaw Catapult - Plague Furnace - Plague Lord - Plague Pontifex - Plague Monk - Plague Priest - Poisoned-Wind Globadier - Poisoned-Wind Mortar - Rat Ogre - Rat Rider - Rat Spawn - Rat Swarm - Ratling Gun - Rotten Rodent - Screaming Bell - Skaven Assassin - Skaven Chieftain - Skaven Warlord - Skavenslave - Stinking Thing - Stormfiend - Stormvermin - Throtling - Troll - Verminlord - Warlock Engineer - Warp-Grinder - Warp-lightning Cannon - Warplock Jezzail - Warpfire Thrower - Wolf-Rat
Characters Asorak Steeleye - Bokha - Chang Fang - Chang Kritch - Chang Squik - Drib Bentblade - Eekrit Backbiter - Feskit - Fleer Twitchkill - Flych Sharptail - Frothrend - Gashslik - Ghoritch - Gnawdoom - Gnawdwell - Goji - Grasshk Warpeye - Griktrode Boltspear - Griskit - Gritlok - Grootose - Grotchrot - Ibkikk Snatchclaw - Ikit Claw - Iskar - Kaskitt Steelgrin - Kong Krakback - Krasslik - Kratch - Kratch Doomclaw - Kratch Gristleclaw - Kreekit - Kritch Dwarf-slicer - Kritislik - Lurkwoal - Lynsh Blacktail - Malkrit - Manxrot - Moltskin Searflesh - Morskittar - Natty Buboe - Naktwitch Nosetaker - Nartik - Nelrich - Nikkitt - Nurglitch - Paskrit - Poxtix - Queek Headtaker - Quilisk - Quirrik - Qweeqwol - Ratchitt - Rikzik Seepage - Rikkit Snapfang - Rusk - Scarskrex - Scrench - Shen Tsinge - Shissik - Shiwan Stalkscent - Skabritt - Skraekual - Skratsquik - Skrattch Scarpaw - Skreek Deathstrike - Skreek Tailblade - Skreet Verminkin - Skretch Half-Dead - Skribolt - Skrish Charwhiskers - Skrittar - Skrolk - Skweel Gnawtooth - Sleekfur - Sleekit - Slike - Sneek - Snikch - Spinetail - Squeegie Quick-Death - Squiktat - Staabnash - Szik Vilepot - Thanquol - Thratquee - Thratsnik - Throt - Tisquik - Tretch Craventail - Tsang Kweek - Twitchtail Burnpaw - Vecteek - Verminkin - Vermisch - Veskit - Viskis - Viskit Ironscratch - Viskitt Burnfang - Visktrin - Visquit Furblak - Weezil Gutgnaw - Zingetail
Skaven Clans Clan Carrion - Clan Ektrik - Clan Eshin - Clan Feesik - Clan Ferrik - Clan Flem - Clan Gangrous - Clan Griblobe - Clan Gritak - Clan Gritus - Clan Grutnik - Clan Klaw - Clan Krizzor - Clan Mange - Clan Mawrl - Clan Merkit - Clan Morbus - Clan Mors - Clan Morbidus - Clan Mordkin - Clan Moulder - Clan Pestilens - Clan Rabidscar - Clan Rictus - Clan Rikek - Clan Scruten - Clan Septik - Clan Skaar - Clan Skab - Clan Skaul - Clan Skrapp - Clan Skryre - Clan Skurvy - Clan Skuttel - Clan Sleekit - Clan Treecherik - Clan Volkn - Clan Vrrtkin
Images - Magic Items - Miniatures - Vehicles
Warriors of Chaos
Units Bile Troll - Chaos Champion - Chaos Chariot - Chaos Warhound - Chaos Chosen - Chaos Goblin - Chaos Hound - Chaos Knight - Chaos Lord - Chaos Marauder - Chaos Ogre - Chaos Siege Giant - Chaos Sorcerer - Chaos Sorcerer Lord - Chaos Spawn - Chaos Thug - Chaos War Mammoth - Chaos Warrior - Chaos Warshrine - Daemon Prince - Dragon Ogre - Flayerkin - Forsaken - Giant - Gorebeast Chariot - Hellcannon - Hellstrider - Marauder Champion - Marauder Chieftain - Marauder Horsemen - Mutalith Vortex Beast - Skin Wolf - Skullcrusher - Skullreaper - Slaughterbrute - Troll - Wrathmonger
Characters Abrax the Bloody - Aekold Helbrass - Agellor - Arbaal - Archaon - Arek Daemonclaw - Asavar Kul - Bayl - Baudros - Beorg Bearstruck - Caramon - Lothar Bubonicus - Dechala - Dónalegur - Drusil Spittletongue - Egrimm van Horstmann - Elrion - Ferik Kasterman - Festus the Leechlord - Feytor - Festak Krann - Festasmus - Galrauch - Gilberion - Grimjack - Grulmak Deathmonger - Grungni Ironhand - Grydal - Gurni Ironarm - Haargroth - Hakka - Harald Hammerstorm - Helgrim Darkblade - Iskard Lustviper - Karadok - Kastragar - Kayzk - Khagul Bloodfist - Kholek Suneater - Kordel Shorgaar - Kormak - Krakanrok the Black - Mawhrin Skell - Merga - Melekh - Merroc - Mordrek - Morkar - Mortkin - Ngaaranh - Olaf Wolfhound - Oxblood Foulgrim - Ryðklumpur - Sapir Redwolf - Saardis Vaarn - Sargath - Sayl - Scyla Anfingrimm - Semjaza - Sigvald - Skarr Bloodwrath - Sog'Kog - Styrkaar - Tamurkhan - Thorgar the Blooded One - Throgg - Tuula Bloodhair - Urak Soulbane - Valgar - Valkia - Valnir - Vandred - Vardek Crom - Vilitch - Werner Flamefist - Winter King - Wulfrik - Yevgeny Yefimovich - Yrlman
Tribes and Warbands Aesling - Beasts of Telldros - Dolgan - Draghar - Gharhag - Graeling - Hung - Iron Wolves - Khazag - Kul - Kurgan - Mung - Sarl - Schwarzvolf - Skaelings - Skaramor - Snaegr - Sons of Nifflecht - Sortsvinaer - Swords of Chaos - Tormentors - Wei-Tu - Yusak
Images - Magic Items - Miniatures - Vehicles